‘Hazzard has no plans to invest in Newry rail services’ – McNulty

SDLP Assembly Member for Newry and Armagh Justin McNulty MLA has expressed his shock and disappointment that new Infrastructure Minister Chris Hazzard has no plans to increase the number of rail services to and from Newry.

McNulty said, “Rail services to and from Newry are seen by many as a key issue in the economic growth of Newry City, South Armagh and South Down and it is a extremely disappointing that the new Infrastructure Minister Chris Hazzard, despite being an MLA for the region has no plans to increase rail services to and from Newry.

“Frequent and timely rail services are key to any modern thriving economy, they make economic sense and encourage people of the road and out of cars onto our public transport system which has environmental advantages.

“I asked Minister Hazzard what plans he has to increase rail services to and from Newry and was deeply disappointed to receive his reply.

“In his reply, the Minister points to promotional campaigns for July and August for rail users, and highlights bus services but this is little good to local people who want to be in work in Belfast for 9am each morning.

Article continues below:

The local MLA continued, “My predecessor Dominic Bradley campaigned vigorously for improved services, especially for an hourly enterprise service been Belfast and Dublin, stopping at Newry and whilst the Minister acknowledges he hopes this will be delivered in the medium term is subject to the agreement of the Southern authorities.

“Newry is a modern city, it needs a reliable and timely rail service to both Belfast and Dublin for commuters, tourists and day trippers alike. The Minister’s response so early in his time in office is deeply disappointing, especially when it seems he is making almost daily announcements of funding for Belfast based projects.

McNulty added, “This is not an issue I intend to let go and will be raising again with him as soon as the Assembly returns in the coming weeks.”

Short URL: https://newrytimes.com/?p=57291

Posted by Newry Times News on Aug 30 2016. Filed under Community, Politics. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry